I think people learn best when they relate to the information and are able to apply it to some part of their life. Whether it is a skill they can use at work, or a theory that helps explain something that is part of their life. Learning has to have meaning or else it is memorization. This is why mnemonics is an effective learning strategy. People can create something that they can relate to that helps them learn a complex concept. I think this is why I believe in the constructionist theory as much as I do. I must admit that I never really knew much about learning theories until I started this degree. My MS was in Information Technology, so these concepts are very new to me. I have enjoyed reading about them because it gives meaning to what I do and how I do it. I believe that I've always used a constructionist approach without even realizing it. I try to develop my lessons and lectures that allow people to apply the information to something relevant to them. I've found that it makes lecture more interesting and learning more productive.
I liked all the metaphors that Siemens presented. It was fun to picture myself in each example to see if that fit my style. I liked the idea of being a network administrator, but I"m pretty sure that is because that is a real position that I can relate to. Which again leads to the idea that it has to be relevant to me as a learner. I"ve always seen myself as a facilitator or a devil's advocate in an online learning environment. I present the data, and encourage students to process that data and formulate their own understanding of the material. When they present their ideas, I like to challenge their responses and make them defend why they answered they way they did. I believe this makes them see a different side of the theory, and gain a well rounded perspective. It also lets me know that they really do understand the concept. Online learning allows students the advantage of reading responses and having the time to collect their thoughts and formulate a well thought out position. In a traditional F2F class, if a student doesn't think fast on their feet, they may not be able to actively engage in discussions and will lose some learning opportunities.
Reference
Siemens, G. (2008). Learning and knowing in networks: Changing roles for educators and designers. Paper presen5ted to ITFORUM. Retrieved from http://it.coe.uga.edu/itforum/Paper105/Siemens.pdf.
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I am trying to learn how to post a comment.
ReplyDeleteOk. I had to create an identity. I've got it now, I think.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that online learning is forgiving. I can re-read what I have written and edit my words. But I often find that I have to edit several times.
I am just now learning to blog. I am not sure how to get rid of a blog that does not please me or sounds stupid or has errors after I have posted. Grace, do you know how to get rid of a blog?
Cynthia,
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if it is only on my side, but next to the date of your post, there is a trashcan. I believe this will allow you to delete the comment.
-Grace
Hi Grace, I agree with your notion of "Online learning allows students the advantage of reading responses and having the time to collect their thoughts and formulate a well thought out position." I came to USA about 6 years ago, therefore I use English as a second language. Eventhough I use English at work and school everyday, it is still a second language. Having "Time" to read, respond and form my thoughts make huge difference for someone like me. It is toally different from face to face class where I have to pay most of my attention to listening to others and not to have enough space in my mind to organize ideas to be active in the real time discussions. I see online learning to be an great advantage for ESL students and international students.
ReplyDeleteYour comment, "Whether it is a skill they can use at work, or a theory that helps explain something that is part of their life. Learning has to have meaning.” reminded me of the podcast that I was just listening to on our classmate/team member Shoushira’s blog. This 9th grader was able to eloquently explain how technologies such as social networking and cell phones, which are used in her personal life, can connect to her life as a student. These kids are able to see the world in a networked way. Their lives are intertwined in multiple ways through multiple networks. I think that it is a lot easier for them as “digital natives” to operate in this way than for those of us who are “digital immigrants.” Siemens talks about the need for students to critically evaluate learning networks and then to locate the gaps (pg. 16). I am really struggling to imagine what that might look like in a classroom. What does the teacher do to facilitate that? Do you have any ideas?
ReplyDeleteLike you, I am getting a greater appreciation of theorist and theories with this program. I knew the main points of well known theorist in the field, but I based my ideas off of others perspectives. I am learning enough to formulate my own thoughts and to see how their ideas correlate with my understandings. The learning has also stretched my synthesis of the information through reading, writing, and interaction with peers and professors. I believe this is our goal as teachers; we want to show children not how to coexist with knowledge, but to interact with knowledge.
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